Heckert says it's unlikely Browns will go after Flynn, Manning

The Browns' talent evaluators will be in Stillwater, Okla., Friday for the Oklahoma State pro day to pay special attention to former Cowboys receiver Justin Blackmon and quarterback Brandon Weeden.

Browns general manager Tom Heckert met with the media for an informal chat Thursday morning in Berea and spoke very highly of Weeden, a quarterback he could probably select with the 22nd pick in the first round if the Browns don't use the fourth pick in a package to move up for Robert Griffin III from Baylor or on Ryan Tannehill from Texas A&M.

Heckert is not turned off by the fact Weeden is seven years older than Griffin.

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"I really like him a lot, and we're actually gonna see him (Friday)," Heckert said. "You go 'Wow, he's 28 years old. But I don't know. If he can play six years, I might not be here, so who cares? If he can play, he can play.

"The kid is obviously pushing this stuff. He's mature, and he's telling you (his age) is a positive. And it is. He's been through a lot. He's played baseball. He's won a ton of games and thrown for a ton of yards at Oklahoma State."

Weeden played five years of minor-league baseball with the Yankees, Dodgers and Royals before enrolling at Oklahoma State in 2007.

As happens every time the Browns conduct a news conference, questions about quarterback dominated the 30-minute discussion with Heckert. He said the Browns will not pursue Peyton Manning, the quarterback released by the Colts on Wednesday and implied the Browns will not go after Matt Flynn when the Packers quarterback becomes a free agent Tuesday.

"We're not down on Colt McCoy," Heckert said. "I want to make that clear.

"We talked (in January) about the protection stuff and receivers dropping balls. All that does factor in. If we catch more balls and protect him better can Colt be a lot better? Yes. That's our goal. We still think Colt can play in this league and it's our job to help him out."

Heckert said the Browns will not "go crazy" in free agency, even though the Browns are $17 million under the salary cap. He said the same thing last year and meant exactly what he said. The Browns signed running back Brandon Jackson and safety Usama Young and that was it. They eventually signed defensive back Dmitri Patterson in training camp. Signing Flynn would break from that trend. In 2010, the Browns added linebacker Scott Fujita, tight end Benjamin Watson and right tackle Tony Pashos.

"You guys know how I feel about free agency, and I think that's kind of an organizational deal," Heckert said. "We're not going to go crazy in free agency. We're not going to do it. Are there guys that we're targeting? Certainly. Now are we going to get them? That remains to be seen.

"You look at throughout the history (of free agency). I know Green Bay didn't sign one free agent when they won (the Super Bowl) two years ago. I don't think the Giants signed anybody, or at least anybody you've ever heard of as a free agent. You don't win football games by signing a bunch of free agents. You just don't."

Heckert downplayed his willingness to trade the moon to the Rams for the second pick for the chance to draft Griffin and said he would be satisfied staying with the fourth pick or even trading down. He said the media reports flying around about what the Browns and other teams are already offering the Rams are "bizarre."

"If I were (the Rams), I would be telling everybody that there are 50 people that want the pick," Heckert said. "But we feel very comfortable staying at four and getting a good player there and that could happen. And we feel comfortable in moving down and getting more picks. We really do. It's way early to start talking about this stuff."

There have been reports the Browns have told St. Louis they won't trade the 22nd pick along with the fourth if they do decide they want the Rams' pick. Heckert shot that down, too. In other words, Heckert left all possibilities open -- move up, stay at four or move down in the first round of the draft April 26.

"I'd never say never about anything," he said. "We talked to St. Louis two years ago about their first pick (for quarterback Sam Bradford) and we were willing to give up a lot. It's just depends. I would never say never. I've talked to a lot of people, not just them."

The Browns GM also weighed in on other topics:

-- Heckert once again said he'd be happy to sign running back Peyton Hillis if the two sides can agree on a figure. He said if they make a deal it could be after free agency begins Tuesday.

"If he has to see what happens in free agency, that's fine with us," Heckert said. "We're good. We're all good with Peyton."

-- Pashos had ankle surgery on Tuesday, Heckert said. Right tackle could be a position the Browns target in free agency or the draft.

"We're just going to wait and see on that," Heckert said.

-- Safety Mike Adams and defensive back Dmitri Patterson will be free agents on Tuesday. Heckert said he would like both back.

-- Heckert hasn't spoken to kicker Phil Dawson since making him the Browns franchise player last week. Dawson will make $3.81 million. Heckert said he wants to sign Dawson to a long-term contract.